A lot of people are missing the point you make. Buying merch from smaller labels is a much better way to support the music you love than streaming. It's not always about "finding the deal". Sometimes it's about contributing financially into something you believe in.

Some people buy cassettes because it is a better way to support growing artists and small independent labels. They can make much more off of merch like cassettes than they can from streaming only. It's not all just hipsters. I have a number of friends that put out cassettes and that's how they support each others art as a community.

I went vertical for my home studio. Lot's of shelves and lot's of lazy susans. I really wish those shelves were cabinets to look less cluttered but whatever. That portion of the desk is about the size of the workspace you are mentioning. You can't really work on anything large but it is a lot of storage space for art supplies.

Sometimes I wonder if I would be happier if I wasn't trying to make a living as an artist. Could be. But it's impossible to know because once you have the creative bug you have to live with it forever. What drives me crazy is life not leaving enough room for art, but I don't think that feeling ever goes away.

I usually feel terrible right when I walk out of the art/hardware store. But then when I use the material then I feel good about the purchase. I really shouldn't feel that guilty though because art is important to me...you know what. I don't feel guilty about spending money on art supplies as I feel like I'm being ripped off. Haha